Kiran Athar
Feeling like you’re an integral part of the team at work is important for most of us.
Even if it isn’t your dream job, just knowing that your efforts are appreciated can make the entire working experience more enjoyable and rewarding.
I’ve been through many different jobs in my lifetime, and by now, it’s pretty clear when my team and employers appreciate my contributions, or when I’m just another number in the log book.
So, if you’re in doubt, here are 10 signs you’re more appreciated at work than you realize:
1) Consistent feedback
One of the first signs your coworkers or boss appreciates you is that they give you consistent feedback – good and constructive.
This shows that they recognize your hard work, but also your potential to progress. In other words, they want to see you do well!
Think about it this way:
If you weren’t appreciated, chances are you wouldn’t get much in the way of positive feedback.
And constructive feedback would look more like criticism, and eventual dismissal, rather than trying to help you do better before it gets to that point.
2) Delegated responsibilities
If since joining your company you’ve consistently been given more and more responsibilities – you’re not just appreciated, you’re trusted.
But I will caveat that to say this only applies if your pay has been updated to reflect the increase in workload.
If more tasks have been piled on you but still for the same paycheck, your employers are taking advantage of you.
But, if they compensate you fairly, delegate responsibilities that don’t overload you, and check in to make sure you’re comfortable with the increased workload, you’re definitely more appreciated than you realize!
3) Inclusion in decisions
Do your supervisors/managers value your opinion? Do they make sure to run things by you, just to keep you in the loop?
If so, this is another sign that you’re an integral part of the team.
Whether it’s your industry knowledge, enthusiasm, or dedication, they’ve clearly picked up on it, and that’s why your contributions matter.
On the flip side, if they didn’t appreciate you, you’d often find yourself in the dark, including regarding projects that you’re directly involved in!
I’ve heard this time and time again; people on the ground being left out of major decisions that will affect them and their workload. Not a good sign.
4) Invitations to meetings
I remember the first time I was invited along to a meeting that wasn’t really my domain.
I was nervous, I wasn’t sure why I was being invited. But before the meeting started, my boss told me the reason he wanted me there was because they were interested in expanding my role within the company.
They wanted to see how I’d fit in in other departments, and which projects I’d be able to assist with.
This was a major recognition of all my previous hard work. By the end of the meeting, I felt honored and appreciated.
So, if you’ve experienced the same, I’d say you have nothing to worry about. Your employers are clearly interested in keeping you around for the long run!
5) Recognition
Now, every company operates differently when it comes to showing recognition.
Some hold “Employee of the Year” awards, while others might celebrate individual successes with a congratulatory note in the Slack group chat. If you’re lucky, you may even get a bonus for your contributions.
The point is, if your employer has taken the time to acknowledge your good work, it shows they appreciate you.
It’s also a sign of a healthy working environment. A little recognition here or there can do wonders in boosting morale, just so long as it doesn’t turn into a toxic competition between co-workers.
6) Opportunities for professional development
Do your employers regularly offer you the opportunity to upskill? To go on courses, conventions, or workshops?
This is another sign you may be appreciated more than you realize.
Similar to the first point where I mentioned consistent feedback, it shows that they recognize your potential.
It also shows they’re thinking about your future role in the company.
If they didn’t want to keep you around for the long term, they wouldn’t be invested in your professional development.
7) Regular check-ins
Let’s talk about well-being.
Companies are finally starting to realize how important the mental, emotional, and physical state of their employees is.
Not just from a work perspective, but acknowledging that we all deserve to have a life outside of work, too.
So, if your employers regularly check-in, I’d say it’s a good sign they appreciate you.
They care for your well-being.
They don’t want you to feel you can’t talk to them. My employers, for example, are great at asking “Do you have the capacity to take on this new task?”
And I appreciate that. Because if my workload is full, I know I can say no and I won’t be penalized for it.
This eliminates the toxic culture of feeling like you have to work, work, work, with no consideration for your mental load or work-life balance.
8) Colleague interactions
We’ve spoken a lot about bosses and supervisors/managers, but what about the rest of your team?
If they:
- Feel comfortable coming to you for support
- Are quick to offer their thanks and appreciation
- Never hesitate to give you a hand
This shows that you’re doing something right. They express their appreciation by showing up when you need them.
It also shows that you’ve created an environment in which they feel comfortable coming to you for advice. If they didn’t value your input, they wouldn’t do that.
On the other hand, if your coworkers are cold with you, never include you in their discussions, and never seem to want to collaborate, that’s a sign that something isn’t right.
9) Flexibility
Especially in today’s working environment with so many of us working remotely, if your employer gives you flexibility (from your working hours to task management), it shows they trust you.
It’s also a sign of goodwill and acknowledgment of how much they appreciate you.
They know you’ll work to your best ability regardless if you start at 8 am or 10 am. They don’t need to micromanage you because you’re capable of handling your workload efficiently.
10) Raises and promotions
And finally, this might sound like an obvious one, but if you’re given a raise or promotion, it’s an excellent sign that you’re more appreciated than you realize.
This reflects directly on your efforts and hard work.
And it proves that your employers are taking note.
Not only do they want to compensate you for your contributions, but raises and promotions are another way of saying, “We don’t want to lose you.”
So, still have doubts about whether you’re appreciated at work?
Hopefully, this article will have cleared those up!
Being appreciated at work is something we shouldn’t take lightly. I know of many people stuck in jobs where their hard work is never recognized or acknowledged.
Or even worse; they’re taken advantage of.
But if your employers make the effort to show how valued you are, you should count yourself fortunate.
